Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-17


have an inclination that way when
they meet a pretty girl. had snubbed
it. as | always did snub any such symp-
toms; but that my snubbing had not
been successful was self-evident.
Il am afraid | was not SO angry
about it as [ should have been, and. in
stead Of determining that [ should
never see him again, and would not
think any more about it, [ found nv
self listening to hear whether he had
gone, and wondering whether ne would
keep his word, in spite Of his INSIDE
meanor, and stay until [ put in an APP
pearance.
"'Auntie will get rather tired of the
young giant L thought, able to laugh
when / grew calmer.-
"'Olive, my DEAR called auntie from
the foot of the stairs, 'Signor Tosti is
here and wishes to see you
What was [ to do? 1t would be SO
unusual to refuse to see the Signor;
but face my Ray again | felt l could
not.
"!Olive,' auntie called out again,
you are keeping the Signor waiting
Wishing all importunate people any
where but near me, [ hastily brushed
my hair, then, unlocking my door, stole
out on to the landing, and leaned over
the balusters, listening for one partic-
uIar voice; out could hear only aunt
les quiet babble and the Signor's
deeper tones answering.
DOUBTLESS the coast was clear; so.
without waiting Tor second thoughts, L
ran lightly downstairs and entered the
parlor.
"'Here she is at lastr exclaimed
auntie; and there indeed was the Sig
nor.
But my senses again became con-
fused and threatened to take French
leave of me, for looking out OF the win
dow, with his back to the door, was my
bette a,oir-Mr. Ray.
1'Not minute of breathing time
allowed me- said the Signor. I'm off
to Pentham in two minutes
Nothing wrong, | hope" [ muir
INJURED.
ooh, no! Miss Milburne will ex-
plain. / want to say few words about
your "Fisher-Lad. I looked appre-
hensively towards Mr.. Rays broad
back. Send it to my place directly it
is finished, and / viii see about send
ing it in, for | doubt whether [ shall be
in StillWorth again before the Acade-
my opens. Finish it as soon as you
can; but mind-proper work! And
Signor, and auntie must needs go
after him down to the gate,
Il walked hurriedly to the door; but
Mr.. Ray was before me.
az beg your pardon he said, in a
deep voice. I am very sorry, but [
didn't think. 1t was most ungentle-
manly to do what | did. The remem-
brance Of what he had done was max
ing my cheeks burn like fire. viii you
forgive me?7
Il managed to stammer out some
thing about forgiying him if he prom
ised never to do it again; but | don't
suppose it could have been in very dig
nified manner, for, when he spoke
| believe he was smiling.
q don know whether I can prom
ise,' he said quietly. But, if the temp
tation is to be resisted, will do so.
THERE was feeling inclined to ask
your pardon on my knees two minutes
| ago, and, now you are here, [ feel
strangely tempted to repeat my offenceP
"Was not this too bad? All, if / could
| only have summoned my dignity, and
crushed him with the weight Of my
wrathful indignation! Instead of so
doing, was standing quite still on the
exact spot where he had stopped me,
hardly daring to raise my eyes, and
feeling miserably conscious that, if my
model did give way to the tempta-
ton, [ was pOWerleSs to prevent it.
"'Will you please let me COP [ asked
meekly.
"'But, if you please he answered
gravely, Il would rather keep you here.
Do you know what you look like stand
ing there? DO you know
HE took one step toward me, but l
made a dash for the door, nearly cap
sizing auntie.
"'Goodness, child, what is the mat
ter! Mr.. Ray, what have you been
doing TO-
Il stayed to hear no more, but rushed
| upstairs, and, safe in my room, | did
not again venture forth rashly.
Il heard auntie-after a long while it
seemed to me-speed the parting guest,
and, to make doubly sure, | peeped
| from one corner of my window and
watched Mr.. Ray depart. Then the
| thought
"'What will auntie think of me?'
Il bathed my face and brushed my
hair, and tried to tone myself down in
| to the everyday Olive Dallas; but the
burning flush would not leave my
cheeks nor the strange glitter my eyes
"'Never mind I thought, when
Hannah came to tell me that tea was
waiting. I must trust to auntie not
noticing
"sI'm afraid, my DEAR said my pla-
cid relative, when I took my place at
the tea-table, that walk this afternoon
must have tired you.
Il bent my face over the table, thank
ful that auntie seemed too busy with
the teapot to notice me.
"'I suppose you know Mr.. Ray has
gone away?
81 felt growing warmer and warmer,
and my head went down several de-
grees lower.
"Auntie got up and came behind me.
Then, with quiet little kiss, she whis-
pered-
"'I know all about it, Olive. And
Nh. Ray told me to give you his love-
"'Oh, auntie, how did you knoW?' [
cried.
"'Niy dear child, do you think that,
because | wear spectacles, 1 can't see
what is going on just under my eyes?
And, if | had not liked it, CT thought
you did not, | should have sent that
| young gentleman marching long ago
"'But, auntie, l myself only knew
| to-dayl'
| o,-o hind nv dao,.